Monday, June 9, 2008

Jan's Paint By Words Sunday, June 8, 2008

Hi Dawna, Thanks for the funny joke! and happy half-way birthdays to us (birthday music playing . . .) Hi Gary, thanks for the garden update. Sorry about your corn. Now I don't feel so bad that I didn't plant mine yet! I bet my peas are growing like weeds! Hi Todd & Sherry, thanks for the good wishes.
Today was shower day. Not much wind. I did manage to squeak 4 knots of speed from 4 knots of wind, but most of the morning we were doing 2-3 knots or less. The ocean was so calm, Tina suggested shower time! Bill and Dan hooked up a salt water hose up on the bow deck. We all donned our swim suits and took turns. A bottle of fresh water for a final rinse and we were all squeaky clean!
After the first couple of days, appetites picked up. (I no longer carry a zippy in my pocket.) Tina did a super job provisioning the boat. what an overwhelming task! Food, drink and snacks for five people for 21 days in limited space and refrigeration.
Dan make the most delicious French toast and scrambled eggs with fruit for breakfast, several mornings. I don't know how he managed because I was at the helm and the seas were rough and we were heeled way over. We also have fresh French Pressed coffee!
Lunches have been mostly sandwiches and salads.
Some of the dinners have been scrumptious pork chops, tastiest meat loaf and lasagna. We all gather in the cockpit for dinner and lively conversation. Bill always has interesting stories to tell as the sun goes down. Story example: (short version) The earth turns 1 degree every 4 minutes. The sun is 1/2 degree in diameter. Therefore when the sun touches the horizon, it takes 2 minutes for it to sizzle out of sight. 'The green flash' is the very tippy top of the sun, right before it blinks out of sight, it sometimes turns green. It's not really a 'flash'. We have seen it twice!!!

writing from Chuck:
All I can see from horizon to horizon is water.
The sky comes down from the heavens to meet the water.
Days from land and all that surrounds us is water.
On a little boat that is blown by the wind, across the water.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm not buying it folks. Per my Sunday/Monday 8 June post, I've got your number. So what gives? Where are you? Mesopotamia circa 2500 BC?

S

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan,
What a life you're leading! Especially now that you are passed the zippy stage. Nothing better than sailing in the middle of the ocean, enjoying the slow easy pace of life, and experiencing new wonders. And of course, eating like royalty. Enjoy it thoroughly while you can!
I liked Chuck's writing about water, water, water...when you're in the middle of nowhere, water do you expect?
As usual, I love to see your "paint by words". I did miss our usual Saturday morning talk, but look forward to talking with you when you reach land.
Love, Dawna

Anonymous said...

Hi Chuck,

Very poetic! Perhaps you should challenge the rest of your shipmates to writing/creating one haiku per watch, then sharing at the evening meal. They're nice and brief (3 lines: five- seven- and five-syllables)...and you can share the best ones on the blog!

Karen

Anonymous said...

Aloha crew of the Cirrus! Just discovered your blog and read up on your history.
How great to be following along with you in cyberspace. I am in the "dreaming" stage of eventually living aboard my own boat, I have yet decided what to buy. I'd like to ask you a question. What type of keel does the Cirrus have? Do you think any other type would be better or worse for what you are doing and as to the ships LOL, what would you think is the safe minimum for doing a transpac? (not the race, just passage)? I lived in Hawaii 23 years, Kaneohe was my home town and KYC is where I scattered my Mothers ashes in 2000. Do any of you know John Hazen Jr.? He had his Flicka anchored in K-Bay for many years, he is a friend of mine. Well, I've got to get ready for(ugh..) work this morning so I can afford my dreams tomorrow. I wish you all fair following winds and smooth seas. Godspeed!
A Hui Ho!
Rick Larsh Barlow

Anonymous said...

This is probably not an official haiku, but here's an image from last evening returning to the harbor:

Blue heron glides by long-legged.
Night heron lands hunch-backed.
Crew reflects.